Freds Big Toephy at Guildford Model Yacht Club
by Roger Stollery 25 Feb 2013 17:12 GMT
10 February 2013
Absolutely horrid weather conditions greeted competitors at Guildford Model Yacht Club's Abbey Meads lake on Sunday 10th February. Not all 14 entries from 7 clubs turned up, no doubt put off by the forecast of continuous rain and a cold SE wind. Those that braved the bad weather were rewarded with 16 races and the combined enthusiasm kept everyone cheerful.
The forecast was realised except that the wind was more favourable coming from an ESE direction, allowing Race Officer, Martin Crysell, to set a simple windward leeward course close to the control area with a leeward gate and windward spreader. However the forecast strong winds did not materialise and the wind on the course was light with vicious swirling gusts, very variable in direction, allowing most to use their biggest rigs or the next one down.
The pattern of the day was set in Race 1, with Hugh McAdoo winning with his ICE, sporting a brand-new 'JUSTIN' Stollery swing rig. Rob Vice was second and Roger Stollery third, both sailing ICE designs. With the exception of Race 4, won by Rob and his 550mm high rig and Race 9 won by Roger also using a 'JUSTIN' rig, Hugh won the next 8 races with ease. There was a short break for lunch under the shelter of the club's gazebo or that put up by the keen Abington club members in anticipation of the poor conditions.
Another 7 races were sailed in similar, but slightly stronger wind conditions.
Hugh did not have it all his own way only winning Races 11 and 13, letting Roger win Race 12 and Rob win Races 10, 12, 15 and 16. By this time all 3 had settled on the 550 high swing rigs. David Wilkinson recorded 6 thirds with his IAMBUS 2 design powered by his balanced una rigs, but could not catch the runaway ICEs.
The wet conditions did have an effect on radio gear, but not apparently in the boats. Several skippers experienced problems of wet transmitters, with loss of control at range etc. This happened to Rob Vice and after one race his ICE sailed a perfect straight-line course down the lake. It was a good job that Rob is good at rowing, because it was 300 metres before he could catch up with it!
A much greater effect of the wet conditions for everyone was the mud underfoot because the ground was already saturated before we arrived. At the end of the day nearly everything that was touched was either wet or muddy and all were pleased that Martin called it a day after Race 16, which gave 3 discards.
At the prize giving, Hugh thanked Martin and Peter Dunne for their efforts in running another good Footy event despite the conditions, standing around in the wet and cold, recording scores on increasingly soggy bits of paper.
Overall Results:
1st Hugh McAdoo, Guildford, ICE, 18pts
2nd Rob Vice, Clapham, ICE, 25pts
3rd Roger Stollery, Guildford, ICE, 26pts
4th David Wilkinson, Cotswold, IAMBUS Two, 46pts
5th Peter Jackson, Abington, BOX, 74pts
6th CJ Vice, Guildford, ICE, 76pts
7th Peter Shepherd, Abington, BOX, 79pts
8th Keith Parrott, Frensham Pond, 91pts
9th Paul Risdale, Abington, WICE, 103pts
10th Richard Kirkham, Southwater Dabblers, SUPABUG, 138pts
Junior prize: CJ Vice